Source: Orthodox Church in America
In a letter addressed to participants in the Orthodox Health Plan dated April 2, 2014, Priest Constantine L. Sitaras, Chairman of the Joint Orthodox Health Plans Committee, provided updates and new rates.
The Orthodox Health Plan provides benefits for the clergy and lay employees of the Orthodox Church in America, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, the Serbian Orthodox Church of North and South America, and the Diocese of the Armenian Church.
“As you hear daily in the media, health care costs continue to escalate,” Father Constantine explained. “In addition, the Affordable Care Act, the Federal Government’s newly instituted health insurance program, has contributed to the increase of the cost of our premiums in the amount of over a half million dollars going towards it as a tax. We also have experienced an extremely high utilization with fifty-eight claims in excess of $25,000, adding up to over three million dollars in claims, which is one fourth of the total claims for the year.”
Father Constantine reminded participants that “a large part of the increase is due to the Affordable Care Act which is beyond our control.” Consequently, he continued, “as of May 1, 2014, the new monthly premium for a single member will be $1,325 and for a family will be $2,415.”
The complete text of Father Constantine’s letter, together with a listing of benefit plan changes effective May 1, 2014, may be accessed on the OCA web site.
Additional information may be found at www.orthodoxhealthplans.com.
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